The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-11-29
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POSTOFFICE REPORT,
The Third Assistant Postmaster Generals
Report.

The Third Assistant Postmaster Generals
Report.
WASHINGTON, November 26.-The report of
the third assistant postmaster general for the
last fiscal year shows that the total ordinary
postal revenue of the year was SIS, 1fS ,273 !;
revenue from money order business, S719,336,
making a total of $4s, S37 500. Total expendi-
lures for the year, including actual and esti-
mated outstanding liabilities, amounted to
S53 1873, 252, showing a deficit in revenue of
$4,295, 643. In addition to this, there was GER
tilted to the secretary of the treasury for credit
to Pacific railroad companies, in their account
with the government, being the amount
earned by them in carrying the mails, 81 49,
OPT, so that the total excess of the cost of the
postal service over its revenues was 81, 4S2 620
The receipts of the year were Ill per cent
greater than those of the previous year. The
increase OF expenditures was at q ratio OF but
three-fourthS per cent.
If these rates should continue during the
current year. Mt its close the postal service will
be, practically, again at seli-SuStalnIng basis
So heavy an increase in revenue, however, says
the report. is not to be reasonably expected
The estimate is, that receipts will increase at q
ratio of nine per cent during the current year,
and at n ratio of eight per cent during the
next so that by the end of the latter, the
department S revenues and expenses will not
be far apart. The special delivery system has
made considerable advance duEing the year,
figures indicating an increase of probably
twenty-one per cent over the previous year.
Attention is called to the Sub-agency for the
distribution of postal cards and stamped en-
velopcS established during the year at Chicago
This agency has not only worked well, but it
has saved very considerable amount to the
government. Recommendation is made for
two other similar agencies at St Louis, Mo,
and Atlanta, Ga.
The number of pieces of matter registered
during the year at all postoilices was 1884, :
l2l, the fees paid en- which amounted to ST.
,G76
This is an increase of Go per cent over the
business of the previous year. As of con-
venience in connection with the adj
mission of newspapers and periodicals
to mails as second-class matter, and in
VCStigatiOns of inspectors, recommendation is
made that in all eases where oaths are required
in the transaction of postal business, post
masters be authorized to administer them.
Three important recommendations are also
made as to the manner of collecting postage on
second-claSS matter and rs to abuses which
spring from defects in the present law. The
first of these is that postage on all secondclass
matter shall be paid by the attachment of add
heSVe stamps as is required for all other mail
matter, denominations running from one
eight Of a cent, i'll the case of single pieces, to
any required amount for bulk matter.
The second is that only legitimate news
papers and periodicals be admitted to the sec
ond-claSS rate of postage, In other words, that
certain books, which, it is claimed, are in no
sense periodicals, except that they profess to
he issued at regular periods-suoh as numerous
series, libraries, etc.-be admitted only at the
third-ClaSs rate.
The third is that the number of sample
copies of second-class matter to be sent ont by
publishers be limited Many periodicals, il is
stated, which under the law now gain admit
lance ms second-claSs matter, being enabled by
the privilege of mailing sample copies, to de-
feat the law excluding publications issued for
advertising purposes or at nominal price of
substitution.